Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-08-26
THE sssEAsHoRE,, COTTAGE.
A Practical Charity That Gives Work
ing Girls a Vacation at the Beach.

A Practical Charity That Gives Work.
ing Girls n Vacation at the Beach.
ILong Branch Letter to the Chicago Times.l
There is no more beautiful cottage in the
whole country than the "Seashore," a sum-
mer resort for the young working women
of New York who need rest and recrea-
ton. and whose limited time and insufi-
cient means debar them from patronizing
the usual country hotel. The house is situ-
ated at North Long Branch, right on the sea-
shore, and has ample facilities for the enjoy
ment of sea-bathing, fresh air, outdoor
sports and home comforts. The house has
accommodations for a hundred guests, and
every two weeks between June and October
that number of tired girls may be found
within it's shelter. They come from every
avenue Of trade, FROM various walks of life and
from all parts of New York. There are
shop girls, clerks, cashiers, bookkeepers,
typewriters, telegraph and telephone opera
tors, milliners, dressmakers, concert singers,
teachers, artists, actresses, printers, stenog-
raphers and girls who in various ways are
dependent on their own resources. All that
is required of the applicant is a single refer
ence establishing her reputation. This usu-
ally comes from the pastor or employer, and
when endorsed by the clerk of the Woman's
Christian association of New York entities
the bearer to card of admission to Seashore
cottage, where nine dollars will pay for two
weeks board and procure the privileges and
comforts of a charming home. The rooms
are clean and inviting, and on each floor is a
printed slip containing some beautiful
thought in rhyme or prose that will live
while memory lasts. There are no rules to
be broken and cases of discipline never oc.
cur. The rising bell sounds at seven o'clock
and breakfast is served an hour later-a good
breakfast too of fruit, oat, oatmeal, rolls,
fish, coffee and potatoes. During the morn
ing the girls read and sew, loll in the sand,
bathe, stroll along the cliff or explore the
surrounding country. Dinner is ready at
one and supper at six. The evening is pleas
antly passed in the parlors or on the piazza,
where concerts, Rotations, charades or the
atricals are conducted, for these bread-win-
ners are a merry, capable host, whose re-
sources would put to shame their more fortu-
nate sisters at the hotels. Every moment is
occupied and enjoyed and many lovely infiu-
ences are exerted and felt. One girl, with
an artists feeling in her soul, undertakes q
lesson in estheticism, and the novice is
shown the defects in her taste-convinced
that her jewelry is monumental and her
beaded dress shoddy. Another teaches elo-
cution; an accommodating schoolmarm takes
class in literature and dilates on the perni-
cious influence of light reading. There is
| the girl who shows everybody how to dress
| her hair in better style; while the designer
for city modiste loops gratuitously score
of shapeless overskirts. The girl who darns
| takes pupils; the one with an interesting
book reads aloud; the critic gently rounds off
| abrupt angles, and the artist sketches heads,
bits of landscape or monograms on fans,
| pocketbooks or fy-leaves. Some very de-
| lightful friends are made and few girls
| leave without reverence for the name of
Harper. Mrs. Fletcher Harper started the
| work some years ago, and since her decease
her daughter, Mrs. H. W. Sibley, has carried
it on. Only enough is charged to pay fol
the actual cost of provisions. The place has
never been self-sustaining, nor was it expect
ed to be. Neither is it charity. As de-
lightful retreat where weary nature finds
rest and the soothing influence of change il
sky, air, food, society and life the Seashort
cottage stands alone in the history of gene.
rosity.